How we started:

In July 2004, I received the shattering news that I had Breast Cancer.
Words cannot describe the impact that the diagnosis was to have on me and my family and we were engulfed with negative thoughts regarding the future.
I turned to friends who had also experienced this trauma and their anecdotal details of how they had overcome their problems and gave me great encouragement for the battle that lay ahead.
Space does not allow me to detail the outstanding support I received from the breast care nurses in Prince Philip Hospital throughout my treatment and eight months after my operation and subsequent chemo and radio therapy at Singleton Hospital I was able to return to work.
There are many ways you can react to this experience but I felt I had to do something positive such as fund raising. This was to have a two-fold motive: raising money for Prince Philip and Singleton as well as raising public awareness of this condition.

I have received fantastic support from the venture from my colleagues at work, from Pen-y-Banc rugby club and from friends whose lives had been touched by cancer. The main fund raiser was the sponsored Ribbon race and this together with the other events helped us to hand over £7,100 to the two main beneficiaries in October last year. This year's fund raising promises to match last year's efforts if the income from the sale of this calendar and the October auction are added to the proceeds of the 2006 Ribbon Race. To all those who have helped, particularly my colleague Hayden Morgan who has collected £2,500 from various sponsors, we give our thanks.

In conclusion, it is my wish, with the help of friends, to continue raising money to fund research and treatment of the disease and in so doing perhaps we can all learn how important it is to support one another and enjoy the cameraderie that follows such a fellowship.

A very special thank you to all the staff at Ammanford HGV Testing Station,
who have collected a total of £20,000 out of the £90,000 raised to date

 

Thankyou all for buying our calendars and supporting our fund raising activities throughout the years. We've handed over a total of £65,500 which has been shared between the Breast care clinic in Prince Philip and the S.W.W. cancer trust fund at Singleton Hospital.

All of you will have friends or relatives who have suffered breast cancer or may have experienced the trauma of being diagnosed with the complaint yourself. Fortunately, many of us are in remission thanks to the excellent care we have received at Prince Philip and Singleton but it is only by supporting appeals like ours that we can be assured that our local centre's can purchase the latest equipment and be at the forefront of any new developments. They need the money to augment any government grants and thereby help Mr Holt realise his dream that "Llanelli will not only be the best breast care centre in Wales but the best in Europe."

Breast cancer can affect all age groups and it is encouraging that we receive support not only from young and middle aged but from our senior citizens as well. Take a look at the photograph of the Ladies at Pantyboblen home in Tycroes and read their moving letter (below).

"To Sue & All, This year we have collected £130 in our "Pot of Copper" once again we wish we could join you so make sure you have enough fun for us as well!! Keep up the good work and be safe. Love from All at Pant y Boblen complex and Iris of Pen-y-banc"

"Dear Sue, This year the "Early Born" residents of Pant y Boblen raised a totla of £130 in coppers. They can't join the run, as much as I am sure they would have a go if they were given the ok but have chosen the team name the "Revellers" not only do they collect the coppers they also bag them all up to hand them over to the Pen-y-banc pink ribbon day which is a chore in itself when you consider that the youngest is in her early seventies with the eldest being 102 this year.Many thanks, Gail, Scheme Officer Pant y Boblen.

There's also Lorraine Lewis who raised £300 who donned her pink outfit whilst on holiday in Blackpool for our appeal. Lorraine has raised a fantastic sum of £800 to date!

These are just two examples from the dozens in this age group who have donated most generously, also thanks to Johnnas Chippy who raised £150. It is reassuring to know that through our collective efforts we can be certain that whenever we are struck down with this dreadful complaint that we will have centre's of excellence on our doorstep to help our chances of recovery. So thank you once again for supporting this venture and all other events which we have organised during the year and a big thank you to Pen-y-banc rugby club for providing us with a communal centre for our gatherings and for being so supportive in all our activities. Also a big thank you once again to Sue Bowen and staff who catered for our Auction Nights, Brecon Water, Gwasg Dinefwr Press of Llandybie for printing calendars and to Brian Roach our photographer.

Special Acknowledgement

Dan Andrews

Sadly, Daniel Andrews, a former Penybanc RFC player who we supported a year ago, passed away in January.
I'd like to thank his family, who collected an amazing £882 for us in lieu of flowers.